Infant&#39;s folding bath-tub.



.M. c. SHERMAN.

INFANT'S FOLDENG BATH TUB.

APPLLCATION FILED JAN.22. 1915.

1,167,849, Patented Jan. 11, 1916.

1 either in the main tub or in the auxiliary MAX C. SHERMAN, OF BEN AVON, PENNSYLVANTA.

INFANTS FOLDING BATH-TUB.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MAX C. SHERMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ben Avon, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new anduseful Infants Folding Bath-Tub, of which the following isa specification.

My invention relates to tubs for use in bathing infants, and particularly to portable, collapsible tubs for that purpose.

My objects are to provide a tub for this purpose which will, be light, inexpensive, and practical; which may be folded and stored in small "space when not in use, is easily drained and sanitary, and which is adapted for use as a convenient auxiliary to the ordinary adults bath tub. These and other objects are attained by the structure described below.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1. is a perspective showing my device in normal operative position, resting on top of an ordinary bath tub; Fig. 2. shows the details of construction and the manner of folding the device when not in use.

In the bathing of infants it is convenient to have the tub about the height of the bathers lap. For obvious reasons there are objections to the use of water-containing receptacles on tables, chairs, etc. I provide a device adapted to rest on top of the standard tub, thus giving ready access to water,

basin, and thus held at a convenient height. The device may be used on other supports, but it is particularly designed for the above described use.

To the integral end members 11, are rig idly joined cross members 12 and 13. The latter are of equal length, and are joined at their middle points, 'by strap hinges, H, fastened securely on the underside thereof. These hinges close downward, and lock against folding upward beyond a straight line. This, in addition to the abutment of the ends of members 12 and 13 above the hinges, allows the doubling upon itself of the whole frame, in the downward direc- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 22, 1915. Serial No. 3,700.

statially. as and Patented J an. 11, 1916.

tion of the ends, but locks the frame in plane position. A rubber cloth, or any waterpgoof fabric havinga smooth, soft surface is attached to the frame members in suspended relation. This may be tacked on, as indicated in Fig. 2, and the edge ma be protected by a beading, 14, as shown. This forms a flexible bottom for the tub. It is cut in a shape to give the least possible folding of the fabric at the corners, and at the hinges, so that there is provided a rounded, smooth bottom and sides. The depth may be varied. It will be observed that the end members, 11, project beyond the rectangle of the tub proper, and that this projection is greater on one side than the other. This construction has a function, in that it permits the operator, by reversing sides, to bring the basin close to the near edge of the supporting tub, or to have the basin toward the far side, leaving room between the basin v and near edge of the tub to dip water from the large tub as desired.

No drainage valve is necessary for my device, but one may be provided if desired.

Many advantages and conveniences of my device not herein recited will be apparent to users of the invention.

I claim:

In an infants folding bath tub, the combination of a rectangular frame composed of two end members adapted to rest upon.

the edges of an ordinary bath tub, cross members rigidly attached to the end members and divided at their middle point, hinges connecting the divided cross members whereby the frame may be doubled upon itself in one direction only, and a waterproof membrane suspended in the frame and attached thereto, the end members being extended beyond the fi'ame unequally on the opposite sides thereof, sub for the purposes described.

7 MAX C. SHERMAN.

Witnesses:

W. A. HEGKMAN, Enwm 0. Jeans. 

